san antonio tx, October 22, 2025
News Summary
Elena Moreno, the owner of Angelic Monuments, pleaded guilty to felony theft for taking $50,000 from 16 families for headstones that were never delivered. The plea comes after a criminal investigation that began in early 2024, following numerous complaints from families who paid for custom headstones. Victims have reported significant financial and emotional distress due to the loss. Moreno is required to compensate the victims by her upcoming sentencing date, while some families have pursued civil lawsuits to recover their losses.
San Antonio
Elena Moreno, 47, pleaded guilty on October 14, 2025 to felony theft after taking a collective $50,000 from 16 families for headstones that were never delivered. The guilty plea follows a criminal investigation that began in February 2024 and an arrest in March 2024. The plea offers a measure of relief to affected families while court proceedings continue toward sentencing.
Key case details
The theft charges relate to Moreno’s operation of a headstone business called Angelic Monuments. Investigators found that multiple families paid for custom headstones that were not produced or delivered. One victim paid nearly $2,800 for a custom headstone for a 20-year-old stepson and later obtained a headstone from another provider. Other families still lack headstones for their deceased loved ones and have incurred additional expenses.
Judge Stephanie Boyd noted the charges involve theft of property valued between $30,000 and $150,000. The statutory penalties include potential prison time of 2 to 10 years and fines up to $10,000. Moreno must compensate victims in full by her sentencing date on December 9, 2025. Some families also pursued civil lawsuits to recover financial losses.
Investigation and arrest
The investigation began in February 2024 after multiple families reported problems with orders placed through Angelic Monuments and the business operator ceased responding to inquiries. Police reports were filed by several victims prior to Moreno’s arrest in March 2024. A flood of consumer complaints prompted the Better Business Bureau to open an inquiry after initial media reports highlighted the situation.
Impact on victims
Victims reported both financial and emotional harm. Financial losses included payments for undelivered headstones, the cost to purchase replacement monuments from other providers, and expenses tied to civil litigation. Family members described emotional distress from being denied memorials for loved ones. One victim specifically paid nearly $2,800 for a custom headstone for a 20-year-old stepson and later secured a headstone from another provider. Another victim emphasized that the emotional toll exceeded the monetary losses and expressed relief at the guilty plea.
Next steps in the case
Moreno’s sentencing is scheduled for December 9, 2025. By that date, she is required to compensate victims in full. Court records and prosecutors will determine restitution amounts and any additional penalties within the statutory ranges noted by the judge. Families continue to pursue civil remedies as part of efforts to recover losses.
Background context
Allegations of payment without delivery in memorial and monument services have led to criminal and consumer-protection inquiries in other instances. In this case, the combination of a concentrated number of complainants, the total amount paid by families, and reported cessation of communication from the business owner led to a criminal theft investigation and subsequent prosecution.
Summary of core facts
- Defendant: Elena Moreno, 47
- Business: Angelic Monuments
- Amount taken: $50,000 (collective from 16 families)
- Victims: 16 families
- Investigation began: February 2024
- Arrest: March 2024
- Plea: Guilty on October 14, 2025
- Sentencing date: December 9, 2025
- Judge’s note on value: Theft valued between $30,000 and $150,000
- Potential penalties: 2 to 10 years in prison and fines up to $10,000
- Requirement: Moreno must compensate victims in full by sentencing
Key features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Elena Moreno, 47 |
| Business | Angelic Monuments |
| Total amount taken | $50,000 (collective from 16 families) |
| Number of families affected | 16 families |
| Investigation start | February 2024 |
| Arrest | March 2024 |
| Plea | Pleading guilty on October 14, 2025 |
| Sentencing deadline for restitution | December 9, 2025 |
Timeline
| Date | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| February 2024 | Investigation began after multiple families reported issues with Angelic Monuments | Investigation opened |
| March 2024 | Arrest of Elena Moreno following reports from over a dozen victims | Arrested |
| October 14, 2025 | Elena Moreno pleaded guilty to felony theft | Court plea |
| December 9, 2025 | Sentencing date and deadline for full compensation to victims | Pending sentencing |
Statistics and visual summary
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Elena Moreno plead guilty to and when?
Elena Moreno pleaded guilty on October 14, 2025 to felony theft after taking a collective $50,000 from 16 families for headstones that were never delivered.
How many families were affected and how much money was taken?
16 families were affected and a collective $50,000 was taken.
When did the investigation and arrest occur?
The investigation began in February 2024 and Moreno was arrested in March 2024 following the investigation and reports from over a dozen victims.
What penalties did the judge note could apply?
The judge noted the charges against Moreno involve theft of property valued between $30,000 and $150,000, with potential prison time of 2 to 10 years and fines up to $10,000.
What restitution or compensation is required?
Moreno must compensate victims in full by her sentencing date on December 9, 2025.
What impact did this have on victims?
Families expressed emotional distress over being denied memorials for their loved ones and the financial losses incurred, including new headstone purchases and costs associated with civil lawsuits against Moreno.
What happened with communication from the business?
Multiple families reported that Moreno stopped responding to their inquiries after accepting their payments and failed to deliver headstones as promised.
What actions did consumer agencies take?
The Better Business Bureau opened an investigation prompted by a flood of complaints after initial reports.
Did victims file police reports before the arrest?
Families continuously sought to recover their payments, with several filing police reports against Moreno before her arrest.
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Additional Resources
- KSAT News
- Wikipedia: Felony theft
- News 4 San Antonio
- Google Search: Elena Moreno case
- SF Chronicle
- Google Scholar: funeral business fraud cases
- KSAT News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: headstone scams
- The Sun
- Google News: funeral business fraud
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
